RE: The Dawn Of A New Era For Entree GoldNeat tool, the Falcon system.
I had looked up the site on the BHP board when the IVN/BHP Eagle JV was announced.
Pretty sure ETG took note of that development also.
I suspect GC was looking to ally with a major to strengthen his hand with regard to the stranglehold that IVN has on the JV assets.
The BHP/IVN link up must have motivated him to accelerate his efforts, excluding BHP who may have been compromised as to their ability to help ETG in an IVN renegotiation.
I think GC realizes, given the spectacular results to date on Copper Flats, that the IVN JV terms are no longer equitable.
At the time of the agreement, it made sense to let IVN foot the exploration bill in return for a minor participation by ETG.
Given the results to date and the knowledge that CF is the dominant ore body in this location, the share pattern is no longer equitable.
GC needed to find a major to help adjust the terms of the IVN JV.
BHP was probably neutralized as a result of the Eagle JV.
The Rio transaction seems to be exactly who was needed at the time.
Interesting comments rergarding the surprise nature of the deal.
Lends more credence to this speculation.